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en-USinfo@flashalert.net (Craig Walker)sysadmin@solidnet.net (SolidNet Administrator)30Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:21:57 PDTOregon’s public collection of more than 2,400 artworks acquired and commissioned since 1975 is now featured on a searchable website for all to view. The State of Oregon Percent for Art Collection includes paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, mosaics, murals, textiles and both site-specific and structurally integrated art installations by over 800 artists. A number of commissioned temporary works can also be found on the website.

The artworks, installed across the state, can be found in public buildings from La Grande to Corvallis and Medford to Portland, including on campuses of higher education at University of Oregon, Portland State University, Oregon State University, Southern Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University, Western Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology.

The new online interface allows Oregonians or visitors to experience the state’s art collection remotely or to plan visits to view art in person. Robust search capabilities allow tailored searches—for a teacher creating class curriculum, a student doing research or a curious member of the public.

Highlights of the collection include:

Two- and three-dimensional works by seminal Oregon artists including Louis Bunce, Sally Haley, Manuel Izquierdo, George Johanson, James Lavadour and Lucinda Parker.

Temporary artworks, including “Information Studio” (2008) by Tahni Holt, an interactive dance installation created during a month-long residency at Portland State University. The site-specific work transformed a glass enclosed meeting room at the Smith Memorial Student Union into a stage where performers followed directions via headphones to realize Holt’s choreography.

Integrated works like Henk Pander’s “The Road” (2006), a largescale painting of an imagined traffic accident based on the artist’s experiences riding along with various Oregon police, sheriff and fire departments. The painting was commissioned for the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

Memorials, such as Lead Pencil Studio’s “OSH Patient Memorial” (2014) at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, which respectfully commemorates more than 3,400 individuals who passed away in Oregon state institutions from 1913 to 1970. The memorial includes a building displaying the historical metal canisters that held the ashes of individuals not claimed by family members. Facing this, a columbarium wall holds newly created ceramic urns with the inscribed names and living dates of the remains represented within.

Recent commissions include “Lessons from a Falling Star” (2018) by Garrick Imatani, installed at the University of Oregon. This project traces the legacy of “Tomanowas” (The Willamette Meteorite), which came to Oregon via the Missoula Floods approximately 15,000 years ago. The artist worked with the Clackamas tribe (part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), who consider “Tomanowas” a sacred object, to 3D scan the meteorite and photograph current tribe members with a 3D printed replica in response to archival images showing the meteorite as discovered. A second aluminum replica of the meteorite is suspended in the atrium of Straub Hall in front of a mural showing water levels during the Missoula Floods.

Oregon was one of the first states in the nation to pass Percent for Art legislation, setting aside no less than 1 percent of funds for the acquisition of public-facing artwork in all state building construction projects with budgets over $100,000. Since 1975, the Percent for Art program has placed high-quality, accessible and mostly permanent art in public places. Over 275 state construction projects have qualified for Percent for Art funds and more than 2,000 Oregonians have taken part in the selection of artwork for their state's higher education campuses and government facilities. The program, managed by the Oregon Arts Commission, remains dedicated to the enhancement of public environments and the improvement of the character and quality of state buildings.

Link to State of Oregon Percent for Art Collection website: http://state-of-oregon-art-collection.org/final/Portal.aspx

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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org.

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Newshttps://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=1418#news122922Mon, 11 Mar 2019 09:41:59 PDTSalem, Oregon – Belise Nishimwe, a sophomore at St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, is the 2019 Oregon Poetry Out Loud state champion. Nishimwe was one of nine regional finalists who competed at Saturday’s state Poetry Out Loud contest at Salem Public Library. She advances to the national Poetry Out Loud competition, scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Washington, D.C.

Nicole Coronado, a senior at Lakeridge High School, was named runner up. If Nishimwe (pronounced knee-sheem-way) is unable to attend the national competition Coronado would be invited to represent Oregon.

Extremely passionate about social justice and law especially as it pertains to immigrants and their rights, Nishimwe was born and lived in a refugee camp in Tanzania until the age of five, when she and her family moved to America through Catholic Charities. Now a U.S. citizen, she has dedicated herself to being someone who can create a platform that gives voice to immigrants and refugees and the representation they need.

"This is everyone’s victory,” said Nishimwe. “I want to represent refugees and immigrants in a good light. I wanted to do Poetry Out Loud because when I was younger I wanted that representation that I rarely ever saw. I wanted to see other immigrants like me participate in a variety of activities and succeed, so that I could know that I could achieve that too.”

The poems Nishimwe presented at the state contest were: “Love’s Philosophy” by Percy Bysshe Shelley; “If We Must Die,” by Claude McKay; and “Worth” by Marilyn Nelson.

“When I listened to Belise deliver poetry to a silent room I recognized her genius is a combination of skill and courage,” said Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, who attended and presented at the state contest. “Poetry comes up from the earth through her voice to the world.”

“Belise’s poise, power and presence make her an outstanding representative for Oregon at the national contest,” said Deb Vaughn, Arts Commission arts education/Poetry Out Loud coordinator. “We are thrilled to watch her shine among her peers in Washington D.C. next month.”

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest for high school students, organized in Oregon by the Oregon Arts Commission in collaboration with the NEA and the Poetry Foundation. Participants memorize and present poems, practicing public speaking skills while exploring the complexity of poetry.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org.

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Newshttps://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=1418#news122724Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:31:29 PDTSalem, Oregon – Regional Poetry Out Loud competitions held in Medford, Portland and Salem Saturday identified the nine Oregon high school students who are invited to compete for the 2019 state title on Saturday, March 9. Three finalists were selected from each regional competition.

Poetry Out Loud is a national contest for high school students, organized in Oregon by the Oregon Arts Commission in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Participants memorize and present poems, practicing public performance skills while exploring the complexity of poetry.

The three top finishers from the Portland Regional Contest, held at Lewis and Clark College, are: Christina Brennan, Oregon Connections Academy, Mill City; Belise Nishimwe, St. Mary’s Academy, Portland; and Kaiden Randall, West Linn High School.

“As we have come to expect over the 14 years of Poetry Out Loud in Oregon, the caliber of performances was impressive and made selecting only three finalists from each region a challenge,” said Deb Vaughn, the Arts Commission’s arts education/Poetry Out Loud coordinator.

The State Contest is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. in Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library (585 Liberty Street SE). The winner will be invited to advance to the national Poetry Out Loud competition, scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Washington, D.C.

Editor’s note: Photos and bio information are available upon request.

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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org.

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Newshttps://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=1418#news122584Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:28:28 PDTSalem, Ore. – Using the arts as a means of addressing community need is at the heart of 31 projects awarded $175,000 by the Oregon Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities grant program for FY2019.

The Arts Build Communities program targets broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon. More than half of this year’s awards go to communities outside of the Portland area.

“This program provides financial support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution," said Arts Commission Vice Chair Jenny Green, who led the review panel. “Local citizens employ creative thinking and collective response to identify a local need and provide an arts-based solution. These modest grants also spark and leverage many other investments and resources, serving as a catalyst for greater economic and civic impact.”

In many cases these awards are seed money to spur additional local funding. In recent years Arts Build Communities projects attracted more than $600,000 in additional investment, much of it representing salaries paid to artists and others as well as products and services purchased in the funded communities.

Arts Build Communities grants are made possible, in part, through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The 2019 recipients are:

Art of Community, Hood River: $5,500

To support increasing the Hispanic population’s access to and engagement in the public art BIG ART Walking Tour, including the creation of a bilingual Spanish/English Public Art Map.

Arts Alliance of Yamhill County, McMInnville: $3,500

To support the Fire Writers Project and host a youth conference bringing 150 high school writers, teachers and professional writers together for sessions inspiring students to keep their writing practice.

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Portland: $6,000

To support the Roots to Rise Mural Project by creating an art plan for a new community center and affordable housing development at the heart of East Portland's Jade District.

Astoria Arts and Movement Center, Astoria: $6,000

To support the formation of Pier Pressure Productions, a non-profit theater organization and venue.

Boom Arts Inc, Portland: $6,000

To support artistic, production and outreach costs associated with a presentation of Pescador, a puppet theatre piece for family audiences by Chilean puppet theatre troupe Silencio Blanco, as well as related educational outreach programs.

Cascade School of Music, Bend: $6,000

To support the Song Catchers Outreach Music Programs with four partner organizations that for under-served, diverse, pre-k & elementary school children.

Clackamas County Arts Alliance, Oregon City: $6,000

To support Expanding Youth Arts for Change, adding additional visual arts and theater programming to existing programs in Estacada and Canby middle schools as well as at Oregon City’s Parrott Creek Ranch.

Cornucopia Arts Council, Halfway: $6,200

To support a Clear Creek Music Festival performance of “Scenes from the Oregon Trail, part V” by Festival Resident Composer Blaise Ferrandino.

Deschutes Public Library Foundation, Bend: $4,700

To support the Library’s community read program, A Novel Idea. Residents are encouraged to read, discuss, create and explore the selected book together.

Eugene Symphony Association, Eugene: $6,000

To support the Symphony’s 2019 Link Up partnership with Eugene School District 4J’s BEST Afterschool Program. ESA’s professional teaching artists will deliver an experiential music curriculum.

Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras, Eugene: $6,250

To support the String Academy program, a youth music education program that provides a full year of beginning strings to underserved children in public schools at low or no cost, plus two second year ensembles.

Experience Theatre Project, Beaverton: $3,300

To produce the first-ever Westside Shakespeare Festival July 28-30, 2019, a collaboration between local theater companies and art educators that will feature full-length plays, scenes, songs, workshops, food and more.

Fishtrap Inc, Enterprise: $6,550

To support Fishtrap’s 2019 Big Read when more than 1,700 Wallowa County residents will read and celebrate Ursula K. Le Guin’s “A Wizard of Earthsea.” 2019 goals include building a partnership with Art Center East in Union County and expanding programming.

Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, Ontario: $4,300

To support a Tradition Keepers event that features buckaroo/ranching traditions as well as Mexican, Basque, Japanese and Native American arts and traditions.

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $4,900

To support Women on the Edge, an art exhibit with accompanying programs in March and April of 2019. The exhibit will honor local women artists and invite women artists exploring and experimenting with technique and subject matter.

Klamath Community College Foundation, Klamath Falls: $3,100

To support EDUCATION/TRANSFORMATION for which eight Klamath Community College students with educational challenges will write monologues about how their lives are being transformed by education.

Lane Arts Council, Eugene: $6,800

To support Empowering and Connecting Lane County’s Latinx Arts Community, a series of professional development workshops and networking events tailored to Latinx artists and arts groups.

Literary Arts Inc, Portland: $5,850

To support the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour, taking Book Award authors to four to six towns across the state to teach writing workshops, visits schools,and present their work at free community gatherings.

Miracle Theatre Group, Portland: $6,250

To support Milagro’s bilingual UNIDAD theatre residency with school workshops and a public performance in Redmond, Oregon, in May of 2019.

Music Education & Performing Artists Association, Eugene: $6,000

To support The Rock Orchestra Expansion Project, purchasing equipment and workshop materials for weekly music workshops and community outreach.

My Voice Music, Portland: $6,300

To support the pilot of My Voice Music’s after school drop-in program focused on serving a diverse group of 100 youth, ages 9-18, referred from social service partners and/or neighborhood schools.

Open Hearts Open Minds, Portland: $6,200

To support the 2019 Theatre at Coffee Creek program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. The program consists of two facilitators working with residents for twice-weekly dialogue groups.

Oregon Symphony, Portland: $6,250

To support year two of the Lullaby project in partnership with Portland Homeless Family Solutions, using music as a tool for healing and community-building among families experiencing homelessness.

Outside the Frame, Portland: $6,500

To support Frameworks: Cameras, Creativity, Career and Community, weekly film education programming and outreach/educational programs for homeless and marginalized youth.

Portland Meet, Portland: $6,250

To support the 2019 Pass the Mic Music Camp for Immigrant and Refugee Youth. Grant funds will be used to help pay for stipends for camp counselors and translators and to help pay for instruments and music equipment.

Portland Taiko, Portland: $4,250

To support a museum exhibit at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center dedicated to the history of Portland Taiko within the context of taiko in North America. The exhibit will celebrate Portland Taiko’s 25th anniversary season.

Portrait Connection, Long Creek: $6,000

To support Portraits in Eastern Oregon, engaging a minimum of 12 artists to paint 12 portraits of children struggling with serious health issues. Grant funds will be used to pay artist fees, purchase program supplies, and for 10 percent indirect costs.

Rogue Valley Chorale Association, Medford: $4,000

To provide three concerts for 3,000 students from area schools at Central High School Theater to motivate children to sing.

Salem Art Association, Salem: $6,550

To support Art Intersection/Intersección de Arte, connecting the northeast and southeast communities of Salem by increasing art opportunities for Latinx youth and connecting them with the broader art communities.

The High Desert Museum: Bend: $6,500

To support a collaboration with Arts East. Grant funds will be used to empower middle school students in rural eastern Oregon to engage with artists and explore issues relevant to their community through innovative art experiences.

Write Around Portland, Portland: $7,000

To support Writing for Social Change: Arts in Affordable Housing, providing eight ten-week creative writing workshops free of charge for 70 to 100 residents of affordable housing buildings.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org.